Professional BMX athlete Dave Mirra, who was a 24-time X Games medal winner and had his own line of video games in the early 2000s, was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a statement released by the Greenville, North Carolina police department. Mirra was 41.
Mirra was best known for his BMX accomplishments, but he also competed in Ironman triathlons and rally car racing. He was also the host of MTV's reality show competition, Real World/Road Rules Challenge, for two seasons.
He also headlined a series of BMX video games, including Acclaim's Freestyle BMX series and Crave's Dave Mirra BMX Challenge. He disassociated himself from Acclaim's BMX series when the publisher released the raunchy BMX XXX, and sued the company for $20 million. Mirra also appeared as a driver in 2009's Colin McRae: Dirt 2, racing for Subaru Rally Team USA.
"We mourn the loss today of a great friend and wonderful human being who touched the lives of so many around the world with his gift," said City of Greenville mayor Allen Thomas in a statement. "He called Greenville, North Carolina home and was as humble a guy talking with kids on a street corner about bikes as he was in his element on the world stage. A young life with so much to offer was taken too soon."
Mirra is survived by his wife and two children.